CBP Officer

CBP Officer

CBPGuy

7 Years Experience

SouthWest, US

Male, 25

I am a U. S. Customs and Border Protection Officer on the southwest border between Mexico and the United States. I know the ins and outs of the job as seen on TV/News and things intentionally hidden from the media! There's more to this job than "Anything to declare?" I dont know all but I'll do my best to answer any questions you have! All answers are my opinion, and my opinion only!

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220 Questions

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Last Answer on April 22, 2019

Best Rated

Have you ever worked in the mail room, checking to make sure there are no drugs or contraband coming into the country? I think that would be so interesting. Personally, I think that is what I want to do.

Asked by Erik over 8 years ago

Sorry, this is an area that I am not familiar in. I've never done it, but from people that I've spoken to, they really enjoy it. The problem is, you cant get hired directly to that position. You would have to start as a regular officer then find an opening for that position. Chances are very slim, so I would recommend that if you apply for this job, don't apply with the sole intention of working at a mail room.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

I find that my interests lie in data, trends, and solving puzzles. Would you say being a CBP officer affords these kinds of opportunities?

Asked by ajm over 8 years ago

There are many opportunities within CBP. If your motivated, after a few years in the agency, you can apply for certain teams within your Port or specific national teams that do targeting. Their role is looking at data and trends for smuggling contraband into the United States. From first hand experience, some of those guys are unbelievably skilled at their jobs!

The only problem is, you need to tough it out through the rookie years, which could range from 4 to 8 years.

A legal visitor to the US is visiting me and we plan to drive to Canada and back into the US. Are they any special requirement when re-entering the US by car, other than a valid passport and US visa?

Asked by VK over 9 years ago

Nope, thats all you need!

For GS-5 in San Ysidro, CA, the starting CBP officer salary is around $36,000. How are we expected to survive all that?

Asked by X. Lewis over 8 years ago

That's what I started at and it is tough. I ended up making some good friends during pre-academy and academy, the three of us shared a townhouse together so it worked out well. $36,000 is just base salary, your really looking at about $55,000 for your first year with overtime, holidays, and night pay.

Can a CBP at an International Border passenger crossing ask me what I do for a living?

Asked by Oscar Carlo almost 8 years ago

Yes. They can ask a range of question if it pertains to your admission into the United States.

How did you felt living your home state to move to the Southwest Border? how did you found housing and how did you attended to your 30 day EOD before the academy? Thank you.

Asked by jvcolo22 over 7 years ago

It was a drastic move for me, it was almost literally across the country. I used the CBP Delphi forums to find an officer who was renting a room in his home. I stayed with him for my first 30days. He showed me around the city and showed me which areas I should rent and which to avoid. Towards the end of the academy, I found an apartment to rent in a neighborhood he suggested. I scheduled my move in day the same day as my arrival .

Hi, Im a current candidate for CBP Officer at the northern border. I honestly prefer a job at the airport, but I was wondering, its your life at risk being more vulnerable at the border with more exposure to weapons? How is the job as a CBP?

Asked by XSS about 9 years ago

As long as you carry a badge and a gun, your life is at risk every day. Before applying to any law enforcement job, everyone should ask themselves, "Am I willing to take someone's life in order to defend another's or my own?"